India-Bhutan Bilateral Meeting on Trans-border River Cooperation
A high-level bilateral meeting on cooperation regarding trans-border rivers was held on August 7, 2026, in New Delhi between delegations from the Royal Government of Bhutan and India's Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy & Natural Resources, while the Indian delegation was led by Shri C R Paatil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing cooperation between India and Bhutan in the water resources sector, with particular emphasis on trans-border river management, flood forecasting and flood management, hydrological data sharing, and other areas of mutual interest. The ministers specifically reviewed the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India, and discussed measures for its expeditious implementation.
Discussions included proposals for the upgradation and strengthening of Bhutan's existing hydro-meteorological network and enhancing the scope of cooperation of the existing mechanism for sharing hydrological data on trans-border rivers. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources and agreed to further deepen bilateral cooperation in water resources through sustained technical collaboration, mutual trust, and regular institutional engagement.